Poseidon Adventure, The, 1972, PG, 1:57

The Poseidon Adventure

Runtime: 117 minutes

Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox / Kent Productions, Ltd. (Irwin Allen Productions)

Country of Origin: United States

Franchise: Poseidon Adventure

Franchise Position: 1 of 4

A luxury ocean liner capsizes on New Year’s Day due to a towering wave, and a courageous preacher leads a small group of survivors through the perilous inverted vessel in a desperate bid to escape.

Ratings:

My Rating: ~7.25/10

IMDb: 7.1/10 

Rotten Tomatoes (Critics average): 7.1/10 

Metacritic (converted): 7.0/10 

(TMDb not available)

The Dove Foundation: Not found on Dove site (Dove refers to the 2006 Poseidon, not this 1972 film) 

Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer): 81% critics, 76% audience 

Metacritic: 70/100 

Plot Summary:

The aging SS Poseidon is on its final cruise from New York to Athens when a massive wave flips it upside down. Trapped inside, a group of passengers—led by Rev. Frank Scott (Gene Hackman)—must navigate through the inverted corridors, floods, fire, and collapsing decks. Their journey through the chaos tests their resolve, ingenuity, and faith in one another. 

Critics Review:

Critics generally responded favorably—Rotten Tomatoes reports 81% positive reviews, praising its tightly-built suspense and ensemble cast . Metacritic scores it 70/100, noting it delivers on grand spectacle with emotional resonance . Roger Ebert called it "the kind of movie you know is going to be awful, and yet somehow you gotta see it, right?" . Variety dubbed it “highly imaginative and lustily-produced” , while Gene Siskel praised its technical excellence, production design, and cast stunts . Over time, it gained cult status and is listed among “The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made” . User nostalgia is high—Reddit users often cite it as a perennial favorite and a New Year’s Eve tradition:

> “One my favorite disaster movies of all time… the ship turning upside down… arguments… Hackman yelling at God…” 

Christian Perspective:

Although not explicitly religious, the film highlights themes resonant with Christian values. Rev. Scott’s leadership underscores courage, self-sacrifice, and hope in the face of death. His convictions—particularly the notion "God helps those who help themselves"—frame faith as action-driven moral strength. While the film lacks overt spiritual messaging, the portrayal of community, perseverance, and moral duty aligns with Christian ethics.

Family Friendliness:

Rated PG, The Poseidon Adventure is generally suitable for teens 13 and up. According to Common Sense Media, it involves “violent and scary situations,” such as bodies flying, blood, and death, with moderate language and a reference to a character’s past as a prostitute—but also demonstrates courage, ingenuity, and strength in crisis . Given its intensity, it's recommended for mature teens rather than younger children.

Notable Songs:

“The Morning After,” performed by Maureen McGovern, tied to the film and became a hit single in 1973 .